The Maryland Court of Appeals won't reconsider a ruling that effectively barred police from collecting DNA samples from people arrested on charges of committing a violent crime or attempting to commit one, while it said it would recognize same-sex divorces.

Roberts on Wednesday issued an order that temporarily blocked a Maryland court ruling issued in April that effectively barred the collection of genetic material from criminal suspects without a warrant. The order was issued at the state's request in the case of Alonzo King Jr.

King was convicted of a 2003 rape based on DNA evidence taken after his arrest on assault charges in 2009. The sample matched DNA collected from the victim in the 2003 attack.

But the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that King's Fourth Amendment rights had been violated.

"The Supreme Court, in essence, took the position that until we get a chance to take a look at this, we're going to put the brakes on the Maryland Court of Appeals' decision," said Baltimore defense attorney Warren Brown.

Roberts said his order will remain in effect at least until King responds to the state's arguments. Roberts set a July 25 deadline for the response.

Brown said Roberts' ruling is a victory for Maryland law enforcement.

"It means that they are free to continue to collect DNA upon arrest. It's back to business as usual," he said.

But he said the case still has a long way to go.

"If the case is overturned -- that is to say, if the Supreme Court decides not to continue with the stay --- (the DNA) can't be used. If they agree with the Maryland Court of Appeals, it can't be used. It's as simple as that," Brown said. "So, they can collect it, but they're still going to have to wait to see what the ultimate decision is before it's going to be of any value to them."

"As Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, I appreciate and support the efforts the Attorney General’s office has made in reference to the collection of DNA. We have received the information regarding Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts’ decision to allow police to resume collecting DNA samples from those arrested for serious crimes. We never stopped fighting crime and we are pleased to have a vital component for fulfilling our mission available to us once again," Marcus Brown said.

Attorney General Doug Gansler also released a statement in response to Roberts' decision.

"We are encouraged by Chief Justice Roberts’ decision to enter a stay. The Court’s stay may indeed result in identifying perpetrators in some of Maryland’s most horrific unsolved cases where DNA was left at the scene of the crime. We expect to file our petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court in the next few weeks," he said.

On Thursday, Baltimore County police said officers were directed to resume collecting DNA samples effective at 6 p.m. Thursday.